I live in Wisconsin and the different types of squash I planted are nearly ready to be brought in. I generally cook and freeze the squash. Is there a way to safely store my squash without cooking and freezing?
Squash are ready to harvest when their skin hardens. Press your fingernail through the flesh. If you have to work at it, the squash is ripe; if it’s very easy to pierce, the squash is immature and is considered a summer squash…Pick them right away and consume within 2-3 days….For Summer squash, read further for storage and recipes at:http://www.holisticherbsinfo.com/store-garden-produce-part-5/
Winter squash grow on frost tender vines. The vine may be "dead" but the squash is still alive…Keep them on the vine for as long as possible if you plan to store them for the winter. They will survive a few light frosts but will lose flavor with each passing light frost….always harvest before a heavy frost. Cut the fruit off the vine with a portion of the stem attached. Check the weather forecast in your area daily to check for heavy frost…
After harvest, Winter Squash should be cured in warm temperatures for about 10 days before storage.
For curing, expose the fruit to 75 degrees with relative humidity of 75 percent for seven to 10 days. During the cooler months of September and October, homeowners can cure the fruit for seven to 10 days by setting it outside on a concrete floor exposing it to indirect sunlight. During nighttime, the fruit should be brought back inside.
Afterward store at about 50-55 degrees in relative low humidity of 50-60% in a cool dark place, probably most homeowners basements. Stored this way, both the squash and pumpkins will last for about 6 months.
Discover more about how to Store Garden Produce at: http://www.holisticherbsinfo.com/category/store-garden-produce-series-1-10/
Successful Gardening!
Kali S Winters
Summer squash can’t be stored without outside preparation.
All the winter squashes can easily be stored for 4-6 months in a cold cellar, or cool basement.
The secret is to only use blemish free squash.
The first thing is to cut them off the vine, and leave a 2" stem. If you don’t, storing won’t work.
Then wipe them with a bleach solution to kill any fungus spores
Have some melted paraffin ready, and dip the ENTIRE stem, and about 1" of the skin, into the paraffin, and repeat 3 times. This seals off all air from getting into the squash through the stem..
Pu them away, and use them as needed.
When I did this, I’d check them all once a week just to make sure one hadn’t started to mold.
For some reason, I always used my last one on St. Paddy’s Day
References :
Squash are ready to harvest when their skin hardens. Press your fingernail through the flesh. If you have to work at it, the squash is ripe; if it’s very easy to pierce, the squash is immature and is considered a summer squash…Pick them right away and consume within 2-3 days….For Summer squash, read further for storage and recipes at:http://www.holisticherbsinfo.com/store-garden-produce-part-5/
Winter squash grow on frost tender vines. The vine may be "dead" but the squash is still alive…Keep them on the vine for as long as possible if you plan to store them for the winter. They will survive a few light frosts but will lose flavor with each passing light frost….always harvest before a heavy frost. Cut the fruit off the vine with a portion of the stem attached. Check the weather forecast in your area daily to check for heavy frost…
After harvest, Winter Squash should be cured in warm temperatures for about 10 days before storage.
For curing, expose the fruit to 75 degrees with relative humidity of 75 percent for seven to 10 days. During the cooler months of September and October, homeowners can cure the fruit for seven to 10 days by setting it outside on a concrete floor exposing it to indirect sunlight. During nighttime, the fruit should be brought back inside.
Afterward store at about 50-55 degrees in relative low humidity of 50-60% in a cool dark place, probably most homeowners basements. Stored this way, both the squash and pumpkins will last for about 6 months.
Discover more about how to Store Garden Produce at: http://www.holisticherbsinfo.com/category/store-garden-produce-series-1-10/
Successful Gardening!
Kali S Winters
References :
http://www.holisticherbsinfo.com/store-garden-produce-part-5/
A 10 Part Series on How to Freeze and Store Squash & Pumpkin Storage
Kali S Winters